Never before has the need for News Literacy been more urgent. As news consumers are bombarded with a constant stream of fake news, propaganda, hoaxes, rumors, satire, and advertising — that often masquerade as credible journalism — it is becoming more and more difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. While the public’s faith in the news media erodes, purveyors of misinformation have helped give rise to troubling cultural trends and alarming political movements.
This six-week course will help learners develop their critical thinking skills to enable them to better identify reliable information in news reports and to become better informed about the world in which we live. The course will discuss the key elements of journalism from the viewpoint of the news audience.
The language of instruction is English, but Chinese and Spanish subtitles will be available. Each week will tackle a challenge unique to the digital era:
Week 1: The power of information is now in the hands of consumers.
Week 2: What makes journalism different from other types of information?
Week 3: Where can we find trustworthy information?
Week 4: How to tell what’s fair and what’s biased.
Week 5: How to apply news literacy concepts in real life.
Week 6: Meeting the challenges of digital citizenship.

Преподаватели

Masato Kajimoto

Howard Schneider

Anne Kruger

Lecturer

Steven Reiner

Associate Professor

Jonathan Anzalone

Lecturer and Assistant Director of the Center for News Literacy

Michael A. Spikes

Director, Digital Resources

Richard Hornik

Lecturer

Текст видео

[MUSIC] It's important for us to recognize reliable, actionable news, because information is so powerful. After all, we all know that the pen is mightier than the sword. Think about all the examples throughout history that demonstrate the power of information. Even though they are over 2,000 years old, to this day, the Analects of Confucius and the writings of Socrates shaped the way we think. In Europe, the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century was only possible, because of the invention one century before of the movable type printing press. Even a powerful military leader like Francis Napoleon Bonaparte said that he feared four hostile newspapers more than a thousand bayonets. Today, social media has amplified the power of information. In Tunisia in 2011, the image of a young fruit seller who had set himself on fire helped launch the protests that led to the downfall of the Tunisian government and lit the fuse that shook the political systems of the Middle East and North Africa. Why are words and images so powerful? We believe that their power stems from human beings’ innate need to perceive and share information. Have you ever learned a secret, one you were asked not to share? Was it difficult to keep that secret? If so, you felt firsthand the universal need to exchange information. Prisoners of war have felt it, too. Upon their release, former prisoners often speak of missing not only their families and favorite foods, but also the information that captivity had denied them. This is because the news we all yearn to consume and share serves three primal needs. News alerts us. [THUNDER SOUND] News diverts us, [POKEMON GO!] and news connects us. [APPLAUSE] If there is severe weather bearing down on your hometown, wouldn't you like to know? Would you be able to act on a knowledge that a particular food on grocery store shelves is tainted with harmful bacteria? Stories like these alert us to danger. Not all news must have life or death consequences, however. News may also divert us. That is provide us with entertaining or enlightening information. We often see news reports on movie actors, sports stars and other celebrities. Such reports may not necessarily be important, but they interest us nonetheless and often serve as fodder for conversations among friends. Lastly, news connects us. News reports on natural disasters and humanitarian crises can reach consumers on the other side of the globe, creating a feeling of empathy. These human interest stories elicit our emotions. They enable us to connect emotionally with people we may never have met. Many have acted on these feelings. Donating money to charities and volunteering to assist those in need. These three functions, to alert, to divert and to connect, give information the power to change the course of history or simple to make us laugh or cry or touch our hearts, but that power is a double edged sword that can hurt as much as it helps. False reports shared for social media can cause social unrest or damage the reputation of an innocent person. That sword is now in the hands of everyone with a laptop or a smartphone. Use it wisely. [MUSIC]